Hagerman

HAGERMAN NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE . Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge is on the Big Mineral Arm of Lake Texoma eight miles northwest of Sherman in north central Grayson County. The 11,320-acre refuge was established by agreement with the United States Army Corps of Engineers in 1946 and includes 3,000 acres of marsh and water and 8,000 acres of upland and farmland. Its purpose is to protect and improve living conditions for all wildlife. Though the refuge provides food and shelter for many area birds and animals, including songbirds, bobwhite quail, mourning doves, white-tailed deer, and bobcats, it serves primarily as a winter home for migrating geese and ducks. Canada geese, white-fronted geese, snow geese, Ross's geese, mallards, pintails, and green-winged teals are among the common waterfowl that make use of the site. During fall, winter, and spring, the refuge's marshes and waters are used continuously by migrating and wintering birds; wading birds abound during the summer months. In all, more than 300 species of birds have been seen on the refuge. Some 600 acres of refuge land are cultivated for waterfowl feed. Milo and corn are raised for migrating waterfowl, and green wheat feeds wintering geese. In addition to feeding those birds that make use of the refuge, this crop production reduces wildlife damage to area farms. A series of shelter marshes, formed by the construction of earthen dikes, is drained during the summers to encourage the growth of natural foods and flooded in the fall to provide a habitat for waterfowl and other wetland birds. The grasslands are intensely managed through periodic burning, controlled grazing, and the planting of native grasses and forbs. Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge provides year-round access to bird-watchers and sightseers. In addition, several field routes and trails are available for hikers, and a four-mile-long route provides automobile access to the refuge. Fishing is permitted year-round, and boating is allowed within the refuge during the spring and summer. A historic exhibit of the town of Hagerman, which was removed before the inundation of the area for Lake Texoma, is located on the refuge.